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Topic: Strings Gauge For Different Tunings |
Doug Taylor
From:
Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2021 2:07 pm |
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I have the Jerry Byrd Course coming in the mail. Do I need to buy several different sets of strings to cover the different tunings in the book? I am currently tuned to C6 but want to start at the beginning A and E I think.
If I need a different gauge for these tunings I would like to go ahead and get them while I am waiting for the course to arrive. Any advice would be appreciated |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2021 3:02 pm
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You need to compare the tunings.
If the difference between the strings on the different tunings are within a 1/2 or l note difference, you might be able to get buy with the same gauge of string for the different tunings, if not, you should look to buy different gauge strings. 
Erv |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Posted 4 Feb 2021 3:38 pm String Gauge Bible
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This string gauge guide from John Ely has been invaluable to me in my tuning adventures.
https://www.hawaiiansteel.com/learning/gauges.php
Solid body electric lap steels are very forgiving, and most are nearly impossible to damage with string tension. Strings will break or become too floppy to use first. There are exceptions of course, so best not to stray too far!
Weissenborns and vintage acoustics on the other hand can be destroyed by too much string tension.
_________________
Current Tunings:
6 String | G – G B D G B D
7 String | G6 – e G B D G B D (re-entrant)
https://papadafoe.com/lap-steel-tuning-database |
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Doug Taylor
From:
Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA
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Andrew Frost
From:
Toronto, Ontario
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Posted 4 Feb 2021 9:58 pm
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There's a whole 'family' of tunings in tbe same range that can be arrived at by tweaking a standard C6 set.
C6, C6/A7, B11, E13, A6, E9 and so on.
There are some cool videos on YouTube of Jerry Byrd talking about shifting through tunings.
Also of interest there's a casual workshop seminar with Alan Akaka wherein he demonstrates plethora of tunings on one guitar. Also on YouTube I think. A quick search will get you there. |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Posted 4 Feb 2021 10:08 pm
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| Andrew Frost wrote: |
There's a whole 'family' of tunings in tbe same range that can be arrived at by tweaking a standard C6 set.
C6, C6/A7, B11, E13, A6, E9 and so on.
There are some cool videos on YouTube of Jerry Byrd talking about shifting through tunings.
Also of interest there's a casual workshop seminar with Alan Akaka wherein he demonstrates plethora of tunings on one guitar. Also on YouTube I think. A quick search will get you there. |
Right!
And pretty much every common tuning that can’t be covered by a set of C6 strings, can be covered by a set of E major strings (generally 16-56). Open E, D, high bass G, low bass G, and the 6ths, 7ths, 13ths, etc. that go along with them.
Edit: I think this is the video that Andrew referred to,
https://youtu.be/2G8qAmotF_c |
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Jesse Valdez
From:
Fiddletown, California, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2021 10:32 am
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I’m going through it right now, you don’t have to change strings everytime. There is the first section starting with open A, those gauges work for the tune until B11 when you put on the strings that can be retuned to C6. The low string in some of the E tunings can be replaced or repitched, it’s not used often if at all, but dropping the “A” to “E” makes it very floppy. I just ignore it or tune it to “G” or “B” for those lessons. I left those gauges on my 6-stringer so I can leave C6 on my Fender.
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Steel Guitar Slinger w/ The Malpass Brothers |
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